Japanese motorsport team Mugen has given Visordown unprecedented access to the Shinden electric racebike at their Milton Keynes factory, as they prep the eighth iteration of the bike for the Isle of Mann TT. In 2019 the electric rocket ship will be piloted around the Isle of Man TT by John McGuinness and Michael Rutter in the TT Zero category, with the team stating the 2019 version of the Shinden has "increased power" and better aerodynamics.
The bike weighs 248 kg, and the 370 volt lithium-ion battery powers a three-phase oil-cooled brushless electric motor which puts out 120 kW (around 160 bhp), and 210 Nm of instant torque. The bodywork on the Mugen has received upgraded front fairings to improve aerodynamics, with a reshaped and sharper tail section. The bike also continues to use Showa Carbon Fibre prototype forks, and a monocoque chassis.
In 2018, Michael Rutter won the one-lap TT Zero event at the Isle of Man in record time, with an average lap speed of 121.824 mph (196.056 kmph), which is only 13mph under the current Superbike average lap speed record set by Peter Hickman!
How much quicker do you think the 2019 Mugen Shinden Hachi will be around the Isle of Mann?
